Deterrent for unmanned aerial systems

Abstract

A system for providing integrated detection and deterrence against an unmanned vehicle including but not limited to aerial technology unmanned systems using a detection element, a tracking element, an identification element and an interdiction or deterrent element. Elements contain sensors that observe real time quantifiable data regarding the object of interest to create an assessment of risk or threat to a protected area of interest. This assessment may be based e.g., on data mining of internal and external data sources. The deterrent element selects from a variable menu of possible deterrent actions. Though designed for autonomous action, a Human in the Loop may override the automated system solutions.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for interdicting an unmanned aerial target, comprising:
 at least one radar; 
 one or more processors coupled to the at least one radar, said one or more processors configured to determine direction and range to the unmanned aerial target in response to the at least one radar; and 
 a counter unmanned aerial vehicle dispatchable by the system to interdict the unmanned aerial target, a flight path of the counter unmanned aerial vehicle initiated by a transmitted RF signal from the one or more processors to the counter unmanned aerial vehicle. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said RF signal comprises deploying the launch of the counter unmanned aerial vehicle. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said RF signal comprises directing at least a portion of the flight path of the counter unmanned aerial vehicle toward the unmanned aerial target. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle intercepts the unmanned aerial target and/or flies in proximity to the unmanned aerial target. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein the counter unmanned aerial vehicle disables the unmanned aerial target and/or captures the unmanned aerial target. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said unmanned aerial target comprises a drone weighing less than 20 kg or 55 pounds. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle flies into said unmanned aerial target while said unmanned aerial target is in flight. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle captures said unmanned aerial target while said unmanned aerial target is in flight. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle drops a net on said unmanned aerial target while said unmanned aerial target is in flight. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors execute a computer program capable of processing radar and RF sensor data to perform a threat assessment to initiate a counter measure. 
     
     
       11. A system for interdicting an unmanned aerial target, comprising:
 at least one radar; 
 one or more processors coupled to the at least one radar, said one or more processors configured to determine direction and range to the unmanned aerial target in response to the at least one radar; and 
 a counter unmanned aerial vehicle dispatched by a transmitted RF signal from the one or more processors to the counter unmanned aerial vehicle. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein said RF signal comprises deploying the launch of the counter unmanned aerial vehicle. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11 , wherein said RF signal comprises directing at least a portion of the flight path of the counter unmanned aerial vehicle toward the unmanned aerial target, wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle intercepts the unmanned aerial target and/or flies into proximity with the unmanned aerial target and/or disables the unmanned aerial target and/or captures the unmanned aerial target. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 11 , wherein said unmanned aerial target comprises a drone weighing less than 20 kg or 55 pounds. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 11 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle flies into said unmanned aerial target while said unmanned aerial target is in flight. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 11 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle captures said unmanned aerial target while said unmanned aerial target is in flight. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 11 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle drops a net on said unmanned aerial target while said unmanned aerial target is in flight. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors executes a computer program capable of processing radar and RF sensor data to perform a threat assessment to initiate a counter measure. 
     
     
       19. A system for interdicting an unmanned aerial target, comprising:
 at least one omnidirectional RF sensor; 
 at least one radar; 
 at least one processor coupled to the at least one omnidirectional RF sensor, and the at least one radar, the at least one processor configured to detect a target and determine direction and range of the target in response to the at least one omnidirectional RF sensor and the at least one radar; and 
 a counter unmanned aerial vehicle dispatched by a transmitted RF signal from the at least one processor to the counter unmanned aerial vehicle. 
 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , wherein said RF signal comprises deploying the launch of the counter unmanned aerial vehicle. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 19 , wherein said RF signal comprises directing at least a portion of the flight path of the counter unmanned aerial vehicle toward the unmanned aerial target. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 19 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle intercepts the unmanned aerial target. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 19 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle flies into proximity with the unmanned aerial target. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 19 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle disables the unmanned aerial target. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 19 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle captures the unmanned aerial target. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 19 , wherein said unmanned aerial target comprises a drone weighing less than 20 kg or 55 pounds. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 19 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle flies into said unmanned aerial target while said unmanned aerial target is in flight. 
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 19 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle captures said unmanned aerial target while said unmanned aerial target is in flight. 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 19 , wherein said counter unmanned aerial vehicle drops a net on said unmanned aerial target while said unmanned aerial target is in flight. 
     
     
       30. A system for interdicting an unmanned aerial target drone, comprising:
 at least one RF sensor; 
 at least one radar; and 
 one or more processors operatively connected to the at least one RF sensor and the at least one radar, the one or more processors configured to detect the unmanned aerial target drone and determine direction and range of the unmanned aerial target drone in response to the at least one RF sensor and the at least one radar; 
 wherein the one or more processors execute a computer program capable of processing data acquired from the at least one RF sensor and the at least one radar, to perform a threat assessment and to select and initiate an appropriate counter measure against the unmanned aerial target drone in flight based at least in part on the threat assessment.